Parkscope: Universal Studios Hollywood

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Join Joe and David Daut (Twitter) as they talk about their evolved views on studios parks, The Star Wars Hotel/Experience, role playing in parks, immersive theater experiences, and if/how theme parks should be archived once changed or removed.

As discussed in the show:

Email us at parkscopeblog at gmail dot com or follow us at Parkscope, ParkscopeJoe, ParkscopeNick, ParkscopeLane, and Sean.

Thursday, June 8, 2017

Intel Briefing: Super Nintendo World

Image copyright Nintendo and Universal Parks & Resorts 2017

I've been a Nintendo fan for over 20 years now. I'm looking out from my living room couch at my Nintendo Switch, N64, Wii, and Wii U. In my bedroom is a 3DS XL and I've previously owned a GameBoy Color, GameBoy Advance, Nintendo DS, and DS Lite. In college I nearly lost a semester to perfecting my Mario Kart Double Dash game (Birdo & Yoshi FTW) and I waited all day for a Wii at a Walmart in Dayton, Ohio. I'm only slightly bragging but mostly enthusiastic for Super Nintendo World news. I've known about mall tours and a one off stint in the 80s at The Disney Village Marketplace, but Nintendo has never had a theme park presence like this.

I can and probably will get into a longer discussion on podcasts, twitter, forums, and here about how this is the next Harry Potter for theme parks; a property loved and celebrated that has seen little theme park coverage that will expand the customer base of the parks and attract existing theme park fans. Instead today lets cover some of the known knowns and some intel we've received.

First, Osaka. Universal Studios Japan will open the first Super Nintendo World in early 2020 prior to the Summer Olympics. The project will cost 60 billion yen, or roughly $545 million USD; for comparison all of Hogsmeade in IoA, Diagon Alley, and Hogwarts Express cost roughly that amount. The one confirmed attraction, Mario Kart, will use state of the art technology to recreate racing through the courses found in the game. But unlike the game you will not be seeing this on a screen. To summarize a design motto of the whole project: "If guests wanted to see these worlds on a screen they would be playing it on one of our consoles." This is Nintendo video game worlds come to life, not "ride the movies". The second attraction in Japan is expected to be a high tech dark ride using innovative "omnimover" ride vehicles themed to the Yoshi games.

So what about stateside? Hollywood will be getting a Super Nintendo World, but details on our end are sparse. We expect a copy of the Osaka land to open in Hollywood with an opening date dependent on when the Summer Olympics happen in that city. With Comcast's cash and ambition I do not expect a six year turn around between Osaka and Hollywood for Nintendo like that happened with Hogsmeade. But where will the land be located? Again we're not sure, but with Universal expanding the Starway it could be expected to open up on the lower lot replacing many Sound Stages currently being removed.

Orlando is where things get interesting. Projects have settled into place and Super Nintendo World is looking to open in 2021 at Universal Studios Florida. Mario will be evicting Barney, Curious George, Animal Actors, and possibly the existing parade building to build an expanded Super Nintendo World. Orlando will offer the Mario Kart and Yoshi rides in addition to the much rumored Donkey Kong coaster concept rumored and previewed in patent filings. Similar to the mine kart segments in the Donkey Kong Country games, guests will race through the jungle and make impossible jumps (see below) as they try to get Donkey Kong's bananas back from King K Rool (we can only imagine that'll be the story).

Universal is pushing the interactive elements of the Wizarding World even farther in Super Nintendo World by incorporating Nintendo's own products into the land. Shigeru Miyamoto has stated Nintendo Switch functionality will be incorporated into the lands. We're not sure how so it will interact with the land, such as exclusive games or character skins. Frankly, I think it's a bad idea to design a permanent land around a $300 piece of technology that has lifespan of five years before a new $300 object, with different inputs and requirements, is released. Remember the Apple Lightning Cable was only introduced five years ago. Even without a Nintendo Switch the land will be full of piranha plan AAs, moving coins, and "Start A" buttons to press.

Food and beverage is now a staple at any amusement park with Pandora's wine and even Cedar Point's beers by BrewKettle. Nintendo will be no different and may even step the game up as the food offerings at Universal Studios Japan and around the country are more intricately themed than in the USA. It's interesting to see if Japan's kawaii designs will make its way to the states in a spurt of "authenticity" or if local chefs might reimagine the offerings.

Mario is not the only popular and influential world created by Nintendo but it will be the first represented at Universal Studios. Similar to how the first Harry Potter expansion was initially called "The Wizarding World of Harry Potter" before the branches for Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley were created, the Super Nintendo World moniker can work till a "Super Nintendo World - Mushroom Kingdom", "Super Nintendo World - Hyrule", and "Super Nintendo World- Pokemon" open.

This fall I'm excited to visit Pandora, in 2019 I'm very excited to see what Disney cooks up for Star Wars, but nothing touches my excitement for Nintendo. Please stay with Parkscope and our podcast over the next few years as we approach the opening to Super Nintendo World.

Wednesday, April 13, 2016

5.12- Wizarding World West

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Joe and Lane are joined by David Daut from Heroic Hollywood to talk about his first visits to Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Hollywood. In addition we talk about Tom Staggs, Rivers of Light, Tower of Terror 'bars', MyMagic+, Kong, Disney Cruise Line, new wand experiences at Wizarding World Japan, and local craft beer (and water).

Email us at parkscopeblog at gmail dot com or follow us at Parkscope, ParkscopeJoe, CaptMichael87, ParkscopeNick, and/or Lane.

Wednesday, March 9, 2016

5.9- Team Dingus

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Joe and Mike are two parapsychologists who start a ghost hunting business in New York after being fired from their plush university research gigs. Joining them are Jon Fu and Jonathan Green from Inside Universal to talk about the changes to Universal Studios Hollywood over the past two years, speakers, wood beams, press tours with Alan Gilmore, sight lines, grab and go food venues, stink pickles, tile flooring, Japan, and Mike being Lost in Translation.

Make sure to follow Inside Universal on Twitter, YouTube, and check out USHForums.com!

Email us at parkscopeblog at gmail dot com or follow us at Parkscope, ParkscopeJoe, CaptMichael87, ParkscopeNick, and/or Lane.

Thursday, February 4, 2016

5.6- A Fist Full of Weasley

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NOTE: Apology for the crackling from Joe's microphone, it only lasts the first few minutes of recording.

Joe and Nick are joined by Felipe and Meg to mostly talk about A Celebration of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando Resort, January 29th-31st. We also briefly discuss Universal Studios Hollywood's ticket changes and performance auditions for Reign of Kong?

Email us at parkscopeblog at gmail dot com or follow us at Parkscope, ParkscopeJoe, CaptMichael87, ParkscopeNick, and/or Parkscope_Sean.

Wednesday, December 23, 2015

Festivus for the Theme Park Us

Today is the day where we forego the stress and commercialism of this time of year and celebrate around the adorned aluminium pole. To the uninitiated, Festivus was brought to the public forefront in 1997 through the TV classic ‘Seinfeld’ as a holiday excuse for George not to give co-workers gifts and for Kramer to take off work.

So finish up your Festivus meal around the aluminium pole and lets kick it off with some theme park Festivus activities...

Airing of Grievances

Tom Bricker

Universal Orlando, you have parks with some of the most beautiful lands and areas in theme parks seen at night, so why do you close your parks so early? A 10PM closing should be a normal occurrence, not a rare event that only happens during the summer and at Festivus (and Christmas too, I guess.) Additionally, odd restaurant and quick service hours cause issues finding a good place to eat in the parks. Why does Mythos close at 3pm while the park is open till 7? I understand the desire to have guests to go CityWalk, but even CityWalk isn’t fully open till dinner. Take a page out of Disney’s book and expand your operating hours to match the demand

From @tweetneal

Walt Disney World, you differentiate yourself with the super cool monorail system that connects the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, and several deluxe resorts. It’s of of your signature features in the resort, so why have you let it rot away? Yes, some carpets in the monorails have been changed out, but lots of them still look worn, AC is incredibly weak, smell bad, and stories of the monorails going down happen frequently. The Parks and Resorts division is claiming record attendance and profits, so why not spend the money to upgrade your monorails to the futuristic and sleek transportation system that it is!

Photo courtesy of InsideUniversal.net

Universal Studios Hollywood, you’re entering the big leagues next year when The Wizarding World of Harry Potter- Hogsmeade opens on the west coast. You’ll add two new attractions, many cool new shops, and new shows. But why can’t the same attention and care put into Harry Potter be extended to your parking situation? Crazy traffic flows, scattered parking garages, and now no annual passes include free parking. For a park that treated its annual passholders well and was supported by said passholders through ugly times, the lack of parking options is ugly.

Feats of Strength

Let's not rumble, son. Folks we get it, you're strong and have had a few drinks. Please stop acting tough and fighting Halloween Horror Nights scare actors? Some of the coolest and best scare actors have left the event due to stupid guests, so lets end this now. Scare actors in scare zones and houses are not just amazing actors but are amazing people. Please, just wrestle your dad.

About positive feats of strength, need I say more than these two tweets?

Cinderella's Royal Table is the hardest reservation to get in WDW. Guess what's #2? (Hint: not Be Our Guest.)
— Len Testa (@LenTesta) December 23, 2015

2nd hardest table to get in WDW is Via Napoli: 20% chance of not getting in (CRT = 30%, BOG=9%) https://t.co/1CENhjb5ah
— Len Testa (@LenTesta) December 23, 2015

Festivus Miracles

IT'S A MIRACLE! Star Wars land has been rumored for decades, and finally with the release of The Force Awakens around the bend, Bob Iger announced the new land at D23. And woah, if The Force Awakens is any indicator, this land will be the bees knees. Incorporating all of our favorite planets into one rim planet was a sort-of stroke of genius as we now can experience all our favorite locations without that weird necessary issues of planet traversal or story! With many insiders worrying Disney would spend "their time" and wait for any sort of announcement or building, this was a great surprise to have.

But what about another new theme park in Orlando? Today, the Orlando Sentinel leaked Universal Orlando finished the purchase of 450 acres of land for future development. With this much land Universal can build new resorts, CityWalk, and a new theme park. And with "green lights" ahead we're really looking at a bright future.

Tuesday, December 22, 2015

5.4- Seth Lord

Joe and Nick are joined by Seth Kubersky from The Unofficial Guide series and TouringPlans.com! Reporting live from Disney's Hollywood Studios, Seth describes the new Star Wars food and drink offerings, talks about the Star Wars launch bay, and Star Tours. Then we dive into metal detectors at parks, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter Hollywood opening, Disneyland construction, goats, virtual reality, I Drive, Nick's weekend Orlando trip, answer your questions, and more!

Email us at parkscopeblog at gmail dot com or follow us at Parkscope, ParkscopeJoe, CaptMichael87, ParkscopeNick, and/or Parkscope_Sean.

Friday, June 26, 2015

4.9- Please Send Us Water

Joe, Nick, and Sean are joined by Jon Fu from InsideUniversal.net to discuss banning selfie sticks, Fast & Furious Supercharged, the Universal Studios Hollywood Nighttime Tram Tour, capacity and parking woes at Hollywood, Disneyland pushing for admissions tax exemption in exchange for $1bn in expansion, Disney's Hollywood Studios rumors, Twister permits, and more.

Email us at parkscopeblog at gmail dot com or follow us at Parkscope, ParkscopeJoe, ParkscopeMike, ParkscopeNick, and/or Parkscope_Sean.

Wednesday, June 24, 2015

Fast and Furious Orlando: A (Possibly) Crazy Guess as to What's Coming

So yesterday at the press grand opening of Fast and Furious: Supercharged at Universal Studios Hollywood, Michele Rodriguez, one of the film series and ride's stars, let slip that F&F would be coming to both Universal planned park in Beijing as well as Florida. This really didn't tell us anything we didn't already figure, as Furious 7 has become the third highest grossing film of all time, though that's soon to change to 4th thanks to Jurassic World's monstrous success. Though that's a story for a different time, I'm sure.

What her comments have sparked, however, is a discussion on just what the heck the ride will be when it comes to Orlando. The new capper to the Universal Hollywood Tour clearly won't be ported directly to the other parks, especially if Beijing's helping to foot the R&D bill of a stand alone version. Plus, the attraction has garnered lukewarm reactions from fans, and the story is custom made for the tram tour. On top of all that, Universal's recent track record shows that the second version of an attraction is nearly always significantly better. Springfield, Kong, Potter, and Despicable Me have all been significantly plussed in their second iterations.

So, what the heck is coming here?

Allow me, if you will, to take you through what I've worked out. But before I get to it, let me warn you. For the record, the only thing I'm semi-sure of in the following hypothesis is the project number, and until permits show up I don't even know if that is 100% right. So take the following with a grain of salt, or more depending on how much you trust me.

Let's get to it, then. Project 620. That's basically what my theory hinges on. From what I understand that is the project number for the Fast and Furious Orlando project, and I've seen others agree. I know the project number exists thanks to luck, for the most part. When Googling "Universal Orlando Project #" just for fun, I came across a LinkedIn profile that had two project numbers on it: 727 and 620.

727, as we've said before, is supposedly the long-rumored Tonight Show attraction replacing Twister, and as I said, 620 is believed to be Fast and Furious for USF.

"So what?" you're probably asking. "A project number doesn't tell you anything."

And honestly, you'd be completely justified in that. It's what comes directly below that which sparked my interest.

The same person working the lead on Project 620, believed to be F&F, was also the director of ride and show during Universal Moscow's planning. Again, what's the big deal about that? Well, if you don't remember the concept art for Moscow (and let's be honest, it seems like the park vanished quickly so I wouldn't blame you), let's take a look.

The red outline is my own doing, obviously. And what is it outlining, exactly? Well, it certainly looks like a racing-type ride, more than likely centered on the F&F franchise. So that's my hypothesis. The ride that was being planned for Universal Moscow will be the basis for the ride coming to Universal Beijing and Universal Studios Florida. My guess could be completely wrong, and maybe all the connections are just circumstantial evidence, but that's what I'm going with. If I'm right, I'm genuinely excited to see this. It would be a departure from Universal's recent rides (though I still expect screens depicting the movie cast to be included), and would be a legitimate E-ticket experience.

So what do you think? Let me know in the comments or @Parkscope.

And, as always, ride or die.

Wednesday, December 10, 2014

3.15- Universal vs Disney: The Unofficial Guide with Sam Gennawey

Joe and Nick are joined by Sam Gennawey, urban designer, planner, and author of the book 'Universal versus Disney: The Unofficial Guide to American Theme Parks' Greatest Rivalry'. We discuss the origins of the book, the creation of the Universal Studios Hollywood Tour, the developments that lead to the creation of Universal Studios Florida, the creation of Islands of Adventure, and much much more. This is just a sample of the full contents of the book, now available!

Email us at parkscopeblog at gmail dot com or follow us at Parkscope, ParkscopeJoe, CaptMichael87, ParkscopeNick, and/or Parkscope_Sean.

Monday, June 2, 2014

2.21 - Thoughts on Movie Studios Themed Parks

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Joe and Nick are joined by Dave Daut, @Illusion0fLife from the twitters, to discuss movie studios theme parks. We cover the past, present, future, and other random topics.

Email us at parkscopeblog at gmail dot com or follow us at Parkscope, ParkscopeJoe, CaptMichael87, ParkscopeNick, and/or Parkscope_Sean.

Monday, February 3, 2014

2.5 - Weird, Depressing, Exciting